Fabien Causeur once again had a strong championship game, coming off the bench to contribute 11 points on 3-of-5 three-point shooting in less than 18 minutes. 

Fabien Causeur did it again at the Final Four 

Real Madrid trailed 74-70 against Olympiacos Piraeus with 5 minutes remaining on Sunday in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game. During an official review, Fabien Causeur gathered all of the Real players on the floor to get together and said a few words. 

Real ended up winning its 11th EuroLeague title, using a game-closing 0-7 run to rally past Olympiacos, 78-79. Causeur once again had a strong championship game, coming off the bench to contribute 11 points on 3-of-5 three-point shooting in less than 18 minutes. 

Just before the Final Four, Causeur spoke to the official EuroLeague website about that particular topic: his ability to play so well at the Final Four. Causeur had 17 points on 3-of-3 three-pointers and a PIR of 21 to help Real win the EuroLeague title in 2018. In the 2019 semifinals, he shot 6-for-6 on two-pointers on his way to 18 points in a losing effort against CSKA Moscow. Last season, Real beat Barca 83-86 in the semifinals behind 18 points from Causeur. 

Fabien Causeur is now a two-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion!

Causeur takes over in yet another Championship Game!

"I played my whole career for this, man, for these moments. I'm lucky to be in a team like Real Madrid, that pushed me the whole season and bring me on this stage," Causeur said. "I got to give it all back to them. I love basketball. I love these moments, man, they are so special. You cannot imagine! Even when you lose, I still feel like I'm grateful to play."

What did Causeur say in that particular moment to help Real turn the situation around? Just to focus on what his team could do. 

"During the season we had games like this where we felt that we had bad calls on us and we lost it a little bit, the focus, you know? And that's when we make mistakes," Causeur said. "I tried to bring the team up because we were down and if we stayed focused, we were going to have an option. And that's what happened, really.

"I felt like we stuck together with the old guys again at the end and it's amazing, man. My second Euroleague, I'm so proud."

Fabien Causeur in Kaunas: 'It's all about the will to win'

Causeur is now a two-time EuroLeague champion but cannot really choose between both titles. This time, he had special motivation. 

"Both are different, I cannot tell. I cannot put one over the other, basically, but this one is very special." he said. "It was a tough year for me personally today. My wife is pregnant. She was at the hospital because she was very sick. She was able to be here tonight and I wanted to win it for her."

Game News

Olympiacos Piraeus v Real Madrid (2023-05-21T17:00:00.000Z)

The force of nature that is Walter "Edy" Tavares is the MVP of the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four after leading Real Madrid to the championship. 

Edy Tavares crowned as Final Four MVP

The force of nature that is Walter "Edy" Tavares is the MVP of the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four after leading Real Madrid to the championship. Tavares posted double-doubles in both games at the Final Four in Kaunas and in doing so became the first player with three double-doubles in the modern era of the Final Four.

The 2.20-meter center posted 13 points and 10 rebounds in the 78-79 victory over Olympiacos Piraeus after roaring with 20 points, 13 boards and 4 blocks as his team upended archrival FC Barcelona 66-78 in the semifinal. Tavares led all players in Kaunas in rebounds (25) and blocks (4), while coming in second in scoring (33 points). His average PIR of 29.5 was also the best at the Final Four.

Walter Tavares | Final Four MVP | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The award caps another magnificent season for the 31-year-old from Cabo Verde. Tavares was selected to the All-EuroLeague First Time for the third time and also chosen as the EuroLeague Best Defender for the third time. He set the single-season record for blocked shots with 88 and most importantly of all, was at his best with the season on the line. Tavares was chosen as the EuroLeague MVP for April and May and now the MVP of the Final Four.

Game Videos

Edy Tavares crowned as Final Four MVP 

NBA veteran Kristaps Porzingis made sure to come from his native Latvia to witness the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game on Sunday in Kaunas, Lithuania. Porzingis drove a few hours from home to Kaunas to take a courtside seat for Sunday night's finale between Olympiacos Piraeus and Real Madrid. Porzingis started his professional basketball career with Baloncesto Sevilla and was chosen as the 2014-15 EuroCup Rising Star before heading to the NBA, where he became a superstar. Porzingis took the time to talk about the big occasion while waiting for the Championship Game to start.

PORZINGIS.mp4

Kristaps Porzingis sat courtside for the Championship Game

Of course, the main ingredient of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's renowned basketball passion is the fans themselves, and they are out in force before Sunday's title game at Zalgirio Arena in Kaunas.

In sheer numbers, the championship game is set to tilt in the direction of a home game for Olympiacos Piraeus, whose fans have come from far and wide with an estimated 8,000 supports decked out in the team's cherry-red colors.

The Olympiacos hordes were gathered in central Kaunas early in the afternoon to make their way together to Zalgirio Arena, but they were already in full voice singing their songs and chants for the basketball lovers in town for the Final Four to enjoy.

Olympiacos fans warming up for the EuroLeague Championship Game in Kaunas

Though fewer in numbers, the Real Madrid faithful scattered around the city were just as passionate about their team and its chances to lift the club's 11th trophy. 

Real Madrid fans in Kaunas before the EuroLeague Championship Game

Both groups of fans are soon to converge at Zalgirio Arena to lend the kind of boisterous atmosphere that is unique to EuroLeague games in what is the culmination of a season with record-breaking attendance for the competition.

In a basketball-first city at the top of Europe, one or the other will taste glory on Sunday night, but the Final Four has already won with fans like these showing how much they love the game.

Olympiacos, Real Madrid fans are bringing the passion


<incrowd-live-blog id="646a0bd5b22587e2323210a9" client-id="EUROLEAGUE" server="standard"></incrowd-live-blog><script src="https://live-blog.incrowdsports.com/index.js"></script>

Third-Place Game: Monaco gets first Final Four win

AS Monaco v FC Barcelona (2023-05-21T14:00:00.000Z)

There are three things that are special about May 21, 2013 for Isaiah Canaan. One is that he will play in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game for the first time. Another is that it will likely be his final game of the season, since Canaan is not registered to play in the Greek League. And the third is that he is celebrating his 32nd birthday.

To help him celebrate his birthday, the Olympiacos Piraeus family surprised Canaan with a birthday cake at lunch. Check out the video!

Olympiacos surprises Canaan with a birthday cake

Before the final, Olympiacos surprises Canaan with a birthday cake

It's Championship Sunday at the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. Everyone has thoughts on what could, should or might happen when Olympiacos Piraeus and Real Madrid take the floor at Zalgirio Arena at 19:00 CEST.

We asked a few people who know a thing or two about playing and winning at the Final Four what they think or would like to see happen tonight.

"It will be super interesting, it will be very physical", said Patrick Femerling, a 2003 champion with FC Barcelona. "I think the key matchup is Tavares against Fall underneath the basket. If Olympiacos can contain Tavares and maybe get him in foul trouble…it will be very important for them to keep him busy."

Jonas Maciulis predicts the Championship Game

Kaunas native Jonas Maciulis, who won the 2015 title with Real Madrid, has his personal favorite.

"I expect to see a good game, a good fight, and I expect and hope Real Madrid will win," said Maciulis who has a recipe for Los Blancos' success.

"Keep the veterans fresh until the end," Maciulis added. "Experience is on Real Madrid's side, in these games it means a lot, and I am expecting that experience today will gonna win."

Another former Zalgiris and Real player, Rimas Kaukenas, also picked their former side.

"I think Real Madrid will win and Tavares will be MVP," said Kaukenas. "I think they are in good momentum, have very good senior motivation and emotionally are going into the final feeling very good about themselves."

Ibrahim Kutluay predicts the Championship Game

The assistant general manager of Zalgiris, Paulius Jankunas, and 2002 EuroLeague champion Ibrahim Kutluay, both tried to sit on the fence before ultimately picking a winner.

"I think Olympiacos finally is ready to win after last year’s loss in the semi. But Madrid showed that it has so much experience," Jankunas analyzed.

"Olympiacos played well in the second half of the semifinal and Real Madrid has great experience for this type of game. I believe it will be a nice game to watch," Kutluay commented.

When pushed, Jankunas cited his friendship with Olympiacos guard Thomas Walkup as a reason to choose the Reds and Kutluay predicted a Real victory.

Paulius Jankunas predicts the Championship Game

Rimantas Kaukenas predicts the Championship Game

Former players predict tonight's winner


Championship Sunday at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four is a big day for any basketball fan. For Real Madrid, it’s an opportunity to add more trophies to the cupboard. Not just one, but two.

While Real Madrid's biggest stars are preparing to take on Olympiacos Piraeus at Zalgirio Arena for EuroLeague glory, Los Blancos’ future stars are competing for the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals championship game at Kaunas Sports Hall.

Such days don't come around very often and when they do, it is a mark of great pride for all involved. The type of hard work and dedication needed to produce an elite juniors team pays off when it feeds top-tier talent to the senior team such as former EuroLeague MVP Luka Doncic in the past and currently teenage big man Eli Ndiaye, who started in the semifinal victory on Friday.

As a show of support for the club's young guns, many Real heroes of the past are in the stands for the ANGT Finals championship game, including Emiliano Rodriguez, Cliiford Luyk, Felipe Reyes, junior teams manager Alberto Angulo and basketball director Alberto Herreros.

Real legends turn out to support their side at ANGT Final

Among those most attracted to attending the Final Four are the very players who have been on center stage at the same event in the past – and even won the EuroLeague title, some of them multiple times. Many have come back from around the world as Final Four Ambassadors to support in One Team and sustainability initiatives in Kaunas this weekend. [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net) talked to Mike Batiste, Sofoklis Schortsanitis and Matjaz Smodis – who have lifted the trophy seven times between them – about their learning curve at the Final Four and what it takes to win it all and reach the final glory.

[· Ambassadors look back at their Final Four experiences](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ambassadors-look-back-at-their-final-four-experiences/) 

· [Ambassadors praise super-intense season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/final-four-ambassadors-praise-super-intense-season/)

Fabien Causeur did it again at the Final Four

Edy Tavares crowned as Final Four MVP

Kristaps Porzingis sat courtside for the Championship Game

Olympiacos, Real Madrid fans are bringing the passion

Third-Place Game: Monaco gets first Final Four win

Before the final, Olympiacos surprises Canaan with a birthday cake

Former players predict tonight's winner

Real legends turn out to support their side at ANGT Final

Final Four Ambassadors: What it takes